Thousands of Palestinians returned to the northern Gaza Strip on Monday after Israel lifted its shutdown as part of a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas.
Starting at 7 a.m. local time, Palestinians will be inspected via a coastal road that passes through part of the military zone carved out by Israel early in the war that bisects the territory just south of Gaza City. I was allowed to cross on foot. A vehicle checkpoint was later opened on Gaza's main south highway, where traffic was backed up for about two miles.
“The transfer of militants or weapons to the North Gaza Strip through these routes is considered a violation of the agreement. Terrorists who may seek to exploit you to transfer weapons or prohibited material “Do not cooperate with any entities in the country,” the Israeli military said in a statement, according to Reuters.
According to the Associated Press, Hamas called it “a victory for our people and a declaration of failure and defeat in the (Israeli) occupation and transfer plan.”
Israel, Hamas reach deal to allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza
Aerial photos taken by a drone show displaced Palestinians returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday, January 27, 2025. – Moon War with Hamas. (AP/Mohammad Abu Samra)
Yasmin Abu Amshah, a mother of three, told The Associated Press that she walked about four miles to reach her damaged but still habitable home in Gaza City.
“It was a long trip, but a happy one,” she said. “The most important thing is that we are back.”
About 1 million people fled to southern Gaza in October 2023, but hundreds of thousands remained in the north. Overall, about 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced, the news agency said.
Israel delayed the opening of the crossing, which was supposed to happen over the weekend, and said it would not allow Palestinians into the north until Abel Yehud, a female civilian, was released. Israel said she should have been released before the four young female soldiers released on Saturday.
Terrorism victim interested in releasing murderer from Israeli prison, returned home and released seven hostages
Evacuated Palestinians will return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement by not opening the crossing.
The Gulf state of Qatar, a key mediator for Hamas, announced early Monday that it had reached an agreement to release Yehoud along with two other hostages.
Hamas also handed over a list of information on hostages to be released during the six-week first phase of Ceasefire Fire.
Palestinians are seen walking on the road to northern Gaza on Monday. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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At that stage, Hamas is to release a total of 33 hostages in exchange for the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. So far, the terrorist organization has released seven hostages in exchange for more than 300 prisoners. Siri Vivas and her children Ariel and KFIR were expected to be released over the weekend, but that did not happen. Siri's husband, Yarden Vivas, is also among the hostages.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
